Ever since I was a kid at Camp Takajo, I have always heard the term “homesick.” If we think logically, there really is no such thing. At this point in the season, the boys have transitioned and made a wonderful adjustment to camp life. Of course, there are always moments of missing home. They usually pop up at quiet moments during rest hour and perhaps right before bed, but the simple tool of “distraction” easily re-engages most of the boys.
When I talk with boys about missing home, I explain to them that it is natural to miss their families, but it also okay to have fun. You can miss the people you love and still experience joy and happiness.
We ask the campers to write letters two or three times a week. The concept is great; the boys will sit down and share the events of the day so that you can feel connected to them while they are away. Takajo’s founder Morty Goldman used to refer to letter writing (and visiting day, for that matter) as a necessary evil. He would often comment that the attempt to reconnect with one’s child after this time apart is always met with great emotion. We ask our boys the write those letters during rest hour because it is a convenient time. However, rest hour comes after the boys have eaten a meal, gone back to a warm bunk, and sat on their beds thinking about home.
Candidly, I’m surprised so many of you receive such glowing letters. If we were able to facilitate writing letter at halftime of a basketball or soccer game, something tells me the letter would be filled with more information and greater enthusiasm. Yesterday, I received a phone call from a wonderful family who has been with me for years. I heard the concern in their voices after they have received a letter that said, “Don’t send comic books. I’m coming home on visiting day.” Before I could investigate what might have been going on at the time the child wrote that letter, I received a follow-up call from the same mom and dad saying, “There is no need to speak with our son.” Another letter written the same day had just arrived in their mailbox which read, “Disregard my last letter, please send comics.”
We have reached a time in the camp season when intercamp sports are taking place on a weekly basis for our junior and senior campers. Daily trips depart for campers of all ages. Every field and court is in operation from sunrise to sunset. Your son is happy, thriving, and growing with each passing day.
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Soccer Specialty Report: Great second day at Takajo. We had sessions with Warriors, Juniors and Seniors. All the sessions worked on shooting and finishing. The boys learned different techniques on how to finish, instep finishing with accuracy, shots with power from distance, volleys on goal, one v. one against the goalkeeper and PK’s. Special mention to both Daniel from the Warriors and Rodrigo from the Juniors, who both had some great finishes during the drills!
